I’ve never been a huge fan of Halloween as far as dressing up goes. My dad and I were talking about how even as a kid it just wasn’t my thing. This was AFTER he tried to convince me to get dressed up to sit on my porch this year. Not. Gonna. Happen. :)

Though I won’t be adorning my little porch it will be decorated as all get out. And this year my theme is witchy wonder.

I’ve pretty much always preferred the cute Halloween decor rather than the scary or gory. I’ve tried to dip my toes into that genre of Halloween style when I made a real-looking gelatin brain with chamoy blood. That sucker was GORY and it grossed me out so much that I couldn’t actually eat it! I’m definitely more into dressing my dogs up like prom king and queen. CUTE!

And I’m also way into my Jack-o-lantern with legs (I call her Jackie) who is just so darn cute. According to that same dad who wants me to dress up on my porch, my leggy jack is pretty darn cute. And I quote… “those knobby knees really make her!”

Want to make your own?

Supplies Needed to Make Your Own Jack-O-Lantern with Legs:

Giant Pumpkin Pail
3/4″ PVC Pipe (40″+)
90° Elbow for 3/4″ PVC – Quantity 2
Cap for 3/4″ PVC – Quantity 2
2.8-inch Styrofoam Ball
Plaster Wrap
Striped Knee High Kid’s Halloween Socks – 1 Pair
Kid’s Shoes (Boots or High Tops)
Witch’s Hat (Adult Size)
Paint that Matches Socks

I got my giant pumpkin pail for this project last year from Target on clearance. My local store was a little slow on getting their Halloween stuff out this year so I waited to share this post until I could be sure they’d be carrying these big guys again. Though I cannot find them to purchase online, they are selling these big old pumpkin pails for $6 apiece in stores. Huzzah!

The legs of our leggy jack are made from PVC pipe which is super inexpensive. You can get a 10 foot piece for less than $3. The elbow and cap PVC pieces will cost around $0.50 apiece. The Dollar Tree carries 2.8″ Styrofoam balls, 2 for a buck.

If you have kids try to borrow some of their shoes for this project. Since I don’t have littles I purchased a pair of little kid’s size 12 shoes. Remember to look at Goodwill to save some bones. The hat was going to be borrowed from an old costume but I couldn’t locate it and purchased a new one from Walmart for $6. The Target Dollar Spot has Halloween socks for only a buck a pair.

Total cost: about $20 or less

Tools needed:

If you have a fancy miter saw it will chop down your PVC in no time flat. It is hardly necessary. An inexpensive mitre box and hand saw will run you around $10. If you craft a lot it’s not a bad thing to have in your toolbox.

How to Give Your Leggy Jack Some Knobby Knees

Cut down 2 pieces of 3/4″ PVC to 18″ using a mitre saw or hand saw. Shove an elbow piece onto one end of your PVC leg as far as it will go. Place inside of your boot or shoe and determine how long you should cut your “foot” piece. For my little kid sized 12 shoes my foot pieces were a tiny 1.5″ apiece. Tap your smaller piece into the elbow. You’ve got legs!

Cut a 2.8″ inch Styrofoam ball in half. I use an old bread knife. About 8.5″ down from the top of each leg (where it will meet with the pail) make a mark. Hot glue one Styrofoam ball centered on top of this mark on the same side as the feet for each leg.

Wrap plaster wrap (use package directions) around the knees to fully secure. Wrap several layers onto the legs leaving about 0.75″ free at the top of each leg.

Apply several layers allowing each to dry. Once dry the added plaster will add a heft to the legs that help keep the jack upright.

Cutting the Holes for the Legs

Trace a piece of pipe on the back half of the bottom of the pumpkin pail. You want the legs far enough apart so that your standing jack is sturdy and doesn’t easily tip over.

Drill holes around the inside of your drawn marks. Try and make the holes as close together as possible. Use a sharp craft knife and connect the holes to completely cut out the circles for each leg. Take care to cautiously cut out the holes for the legs. You need a tight fit and it’s easy to make the holes a little larger and impossible to make them smaller!

Side note: I LOVE my Cricut True Control Knife so much it is looking a lot worse for the wear :)

Test the PVC pipe piece to make sure it fits snugly.

Decorating Your Legs

Take a long sock (these are children’s knee high socks) and cut it down the back side stopping just before you get to the heel. Place the “foot” inside of the sock. Hot glue both of the cut sides of the sock along the middle of the back of each leg. You’ll need to trim excess and/or fold to get a clean seam that isn’t very visible.

Trim the sock away so you have around .75″ of bare PVC at the top of each leg. Paint to match your socks and allow to dry.

Pop your legs into your shoes and tie them up as tightly as possible. Finagle as needed to make the legs stand straight. This can be achieved with wadded up paper.

Turn your pail over and pop your legs into place. They should be held in the holes snugly enough that you can turn the entire piece over once the legs are in place.

From inside of the pail attach the pvc caps over each leg to secure into place.

At this point give your Jack-o-Lantern with legs a good look over. If the pail is leaning forward a bit, place some weight (like a handful of change in a sandwich bag) into the back of the pail behind the legs.

Pop on your witch’s hat and this is one super cute, super tall, and super affordable Halloween decoration!

Cook Time: 45

Dry Time: 3

Total Time: 3 45

Equipment

Ingredients

3/4" PVC Pipe
2 3/4" 90° Elbow Fitting
2 3/4" PVC Push Cap
Large Pumpkin Pail (available at Target)
2.8" Styrofoam Ball
Kid's Knee High Socks
Kid's Shoes
Adult Witch's Hat
Plaster Wrap

Instructions

Cut down 2 pieces of 3/4" PVC to 18" using a mitre saw or hand saw. Shove an elbow piece onto one end of your PVC leg as far as it will go. Place inside of your boot or shoe and determine how long you should cut your "foot" piece. For my little kid sized 12 shoes my foot pieces were a tiny 1.5" apiece. Tap your smaller piece into the elbow.
Cut a 2.8" inch Styrofoam ball in half. I use an old bread knife. About 8.5" down from the top of each leg (where it will meet with the pail) make a mark. Hot glue one Styrofoam ball centered on top of this mark on the same side as the feet for each leg.
Wrap plaster wrap (use package directions) around the knees to fully secure. Wrap several layers onto the legs leaving about 0.75" free at the top of each leg. Apply several layers allowing each to dry. Once dry the added plaster will add a heft to the legs that help keep the jack upright.
Trace a piece of pipe on the back half of the bottom of the pumpkin pail. You want the legs far enough apart so that your standing jack is sturdy and doesn't easily tip over.
Drill holes around the inside of your drawn marks. Try and make the holes as close together as possible. Use a sharp craft knife and connect the holes to completely cut out the circles for each leg. Take care to cautiously cut out the holes for the legs for a snug fit.
Take a long sock and cut it down the back side stopping just before you get to the heel. Place the "foot" inside of the sock. Hot glue both of the cut sides of the sock along the middle of the back of each leg. You'll need to trim excess and/or fold to get a clean seam that isn't very visible.
Trim the sock away so you have around .75" of bare PVC at the top of each leg. Paint to match your socks and allow to dry.
Pop your legs into your shoes and tie them up as tightly as possible. Finagle as needed to make the legs stand straight. This can be achieved with wadded up paper.
Turn your pail over and pop your legs into place. They should be held in the holes snugly enough that you can turn the entire piece over once the legs are in place.
From inside of the pail attach the pvc caps over each leg to secure into place.
At this point give your leggy jack a good look over. If the pail is leaning forward a bit, place some weight (like a handful of change in a sandwich bag) into the back of the pail behind the legs.